Don't enter hospitals: Mamata to media

"I love the media. But don´t enter hospital premises. Even I take permission of the hospital superintendent before entering the premises. I don´t need permission but still I do since it´s a basic courtesy and also may be some infection can spread because of me," Banerjee said while addressing a meeting of Trinamool Congress-backed Progressive Doctors´ Association in Kolkata on Friday.

"I take permission of nurses before entering a ward. I cannot enter an operation theatre," she said.

Banerjee has asked the people to watch entertainment channels instead of news.

"Do not watch the two television channels that are spreading falsehood against us. Instead listen to songs and watch entertainment channels like Star Jalsa, Tara and Channel 10," the Trinamool supremo said.

Addressing a rally in North 24 Parganas district on Thursday, Banerjee said: "No one can stop Mamata Banerjee from serving the people of West Bengal. There are two Bengali news channels who are campaigning lies against the government on a daily basis. Don´t watch Star Ananda and 24 Ghanta news channels. They are all lies. I will prove that."

"I do not care if fingers are pointed against me. I do not care for anybody. I only care for Ma, Mati, Manush of West Bengal," Banerjee said.

On Mar 28, the Mamata Banerjee government decided to go ahead with its decision to keep out the the largest circulated dailies from West Bengal, which apparently are critical of her regime, from the state libraries, sparking angry reactions from the intelligentsia and political groups.

West Bengal Library Minister Karim Chowdhury after a meeting with Banerjee said: "It is government policy and we are acting accordingly."

There was a strong media reaction after the circular was issued to keep out dailies like Ananda Bazar Patrika, Bartaman, The Telegraph and The Times of India, all four largest circulated dailies of West Bengal, from the state libraries.

The state government instead named only eight dailies for the libraries which are apparently supporting Banerjee.

The circular was issued on March 14, 2012.

Disgruntled Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman criticized the move and said this would trigger reactions. "This is not fascism yet, but this will create strong reactions."

"This is a kind of use of force to enforce something," he said.

Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury said it is an academic anarchy. "This is madness," he said.

Opposition leader in state assembly Suryakanta Misra said: "The government cannot decide who would read what."

Litterateur Samaresh Majumdar said: "The previous government took 34 years to reach a stage (of arrogance) in the pace of local train. This government seemed to have reached that stage in a fast pace in the speed of Rajdhani Express."

CPI-M parliamentarian Sitaram Yechury said the action borders on almost fascism.